Pictured left to right: Commissioner Ryan Costello; Todd Pohlig, Pohlig Builders and Public Safety Training Facility Foundation board member; Frances Sheehan, President and CEO and Harry Lewis Jr., Chairman, Brandywine Health Foundation; Michael Grigalonis, Chief Operating Officer, Chester County Economic Development Council; and Commissioners Terence Farrell and Kathi Cozzone.

The Brandywine Health Foundation has given a $600,000 grant for the new Chester County Public Safety Training Facility. The announcement of the award to the Chester County Public Safety Training Foundation was made at the October 25, 2011 Sunshine meeting of the Chester County Commissioners.

"The generous grant by the Brandywine Health Foundation aids in protecting all citizens of Chester County," said Commissioners Chair Terence Farrell.

The public safety training facility will be constructed on 130 acres of land acquired from the Arcelor Mittal steel company in South Coatesville.

Harry Lewis, Chairman of the Brandywine Health Foundation's board of directors, said the grant includes $400,000 for capital needs and an additional $200,000 to be provided over a five year period for training programs. "The Brandywine Health Foundation has now given more than $10 million to the community since its founding in 2002," Lewis said. "As we celebrate our 10 years of service, we all believe this is just the beginning of contributions by the Brandywine Health Foundation to the community."

As Vice Chair, Commissioner Kathi Cozzone said, "I am really excited about the contribution of the Brandywine Health Foundation. Their investment further substantiates the community's commitment to this project. Their leadership is truly remarkable. County taxpayers should be very pleased that we, as County Commissioners, are pressing forward, even during difficult economic times, to bring the PSTF to completion and to keep Public Safety as Priority number one. I am personally very, very proud to stand up for our First Responders and help them, since they are always there to help us!"

Commissioner Ryan Costello said, "Emergency responders need to have the latest training. This grant is a critical step in helping fund the facility, and will also help us partner with others for more funding opportunities."

The cost of the project is estimated to be $20 million and $2.9 million is needed to fully fund the project. Fundraising efforts are ongoing.

The Chester County Economic Development Council oversees the Chester County Public Safety Training Foundation. The foundation was established in 2006 to design and construct a training facility for the county's emergency responders. The foundation has shifted its focus and now handles fundraising and managing the various grants secured to help finance the project.

Gary Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Council, said, "The Chester County Public Safety Training Foundation is honored to lead the fundraising effort to raise the final $2.9 million needed for this critically important facility. The generous gift from Brandywine Health Foundation gives us tremendous momentum for the public launch of the campaign."